We’ve all had breast reductions - happy to help

[Madagascary]

Setting up as thread 2 is now full here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/4876452-weve-had-breast-reductions-ask-us-anything?reply=134967968

props to @bigtitsbettyforgotherpassword And all who contribute.

Hiya, my tape is due to come off this Friday.

If I am honest then in my head I thought it would be worse than it was during the first week but better by now.

I am sleeping OK but not great. Went back to work (from home) yesterday. Can drive but wouldn’t want to go too far.

So still no regrets but a bit fed up with being uncomfortable (and swearing every time I move still)

@Lemonadeintheshade I'll be 4 weeks post op later this week so not too far ahead of you. Glad it's all going well for you and I definitely still don't have any regrets either. I'm still taped up and I haven't been told to apply anything to my wounds either. I have to remove the tape every 3 days, wash the wounds in hibiscrub then apply new tape. It's definitely interesting how much the post-op advice varies! I'm seeing the consultant next week so may well get given new instructions then.

@Blimmingboobs Yes, I feel the same. I expected to be in far more pain after the op so was pleasantly surprised. But now I feel like my recovery has plateau'd a bit and I've definitely had enough of sleeping upright on my back. Visually the wounds look better each time the tape is changed, though, so it's more about how I feel. I guess there's a lot of internal healing happening which takes time. Hope you feel less uncomfortable soon.

@Lemonadeintheshade yes I go in on Friday, bag is packed already! So good to hear no regrets from those of you who have had it so recently. I am very excited.

@Blimmingboobs When you think about what the op involves (cutting part of you away and rearranging what’s left) and I must admit to doing that way more post surgery than pre, there’s no wonder it takes time for recovery. My boobs feel very tender and I’m still getting a tingly/itchy feeling. Can’t wait for them to feel normal! Hope the return to work was ok and hope all goes well on Friday. Having my tape taken off was a little uncomfortable but not too bad at all.

@CornishYarg it really is strange how the after care seems to be different depending on who you see. I’ve had my tape on since the op. I’ve been able to shower since day one and then I was told to apply gauze over the tape every day as a bit of extra padding and protection. The nurse told me today, to continue to apply gauze but I don’t need any more tape, she said the wounds were healing nicely. I don’t see anyone now until I see the consultant at 6 wpo.

Fingers crossed we’ll all be feeling completely normal and sleeping comfortably again soon 🤞🏻

It’s been great reading everyone’s stories/experiences. How long did everyone take off work or plan to? My surgery is booked for Jan and I know the sick note will be for 2 weeks, did anyone take annual leave after to have longer off? My job involves driving daily to clients, sometimes up to an hour away and carrying my laptop bag. Thank you.

I suspect the post op care varies so much because the patients are the only constant factor? I feel/felt like each person I have seen specialises in their own bit but no real concept of before or after?

It definitely appears that the pain varies, I think I generally have quite a high tolerance but couldn’t yet drive regularly or any distance and I am at 3 weeks since op tomorrow.

But I am also a not very healthy/fit 50 year old and had quite a lot removed. These may or may not be factors.

Also I have recently been advised that I can add a dressing called Mepore over the tape as it is lifting and getting stuck to my bra. Wish I’d done that sooner.

This is why I think that this forum is invaluable because we can offer each other insights into our experiences.

Welcome @JellybeanMama and congrats on the surgery date!

I had two weeks off work but my job is computer-based so I've just been working from home since then. I'm a bit wary about carrying my laptop bag into the office (which includes a mile walk each way) and I didn't need to do it as work are happy for me to wfh, so it didn't seem worth pushing it. If I'd had to go in, I think it would be OK now. Similarly, I haven't driven yet as per my consultant's advice, but that's because I haven't really needed to rather than because I can't.

It's really hard to say for your situation as we all recover differently. Personally the work you describe would have been tough for me to do at 2 weeks though. So if you can take a little longer off to recover, it might be a good idea. Have you asked your surgeon/your work whether a longer sign off is possible given the nature of your work? Is there any possibility of carrying out "lighter duties" initially?

@JellybeanMama I went back to work at 11 dpo. I work part time and my job is not particularly strenuous. I think it’s a really individual thing and just depends how you feel. With driving the only real issue is the seatbelt. I was back driving short distances quite quickly and find wearing a coat/scarf/thick fleecy jumper all help provide a bit of extra padding.

I had an office based job and went back to work after 3 weeks. I was pretty much back to normal except I had to wear trousers that were easy to do up as straining the pecs hurt! I didn’t drive at the time so can’t comment, although I do remember speed bumps were uncomfortable for a while. I wouldn’t have wanted to carry a laptop bag, although would have been ok on my back perhaps in a rucksack.

I’m 16 years post op if anyone wants to ask anything about the long term (I haven’t RTFT). Good luck to all planning their ops x

For the most recent, I am 7wks po and pretty much feel all back to normal.

I won't be lifting heavy weights at the gym but am definitely back to usual routine and habits.

I am very pleased with the size (went from E to C) but they are still a little boxy amd frankenbooby, though I am hopeful all will settle and scars will significantly fade.

Any tips for good 'before' photos?

I took all but one bra to the bra recycling at Bravissimo today, whoop!

Long time lurker, finally had my surgery yesterday, still in hospital

Oh wow how are you feeling @Embley ? Are you home yet?

Just got home! Had 2.5kg removed. Feel a bit scared to move but all seems ok so far.

Great news, I am going in tomorrow, can't wait for the weigh in.

I’ve got everything crossed for you! I’ve been so happy to have smaller boobs but also so sad for myself that I put up with those huge uneven ones for so many decades

Brilliant, I was the same. It’s 2 1/2 kg you won’t miss.

I think a work from home desk based job you could easily start working after a week. I’m a teacher and I went back after two weeks.

All the very best @starsinyourpies this time tomorrow it’ll all be over and you’ll be sleeping off the anaesthetic with small boobs.

Hope you’re doing ok @Embley fwiw I found the evening of the second day and the third day the most difficult but more because of brain fog after the anaesthetic than pain and discomfort. Much more myself by day 4 and then onwards and upwards from there.

Gosh that’s sooner than I thought, I’ve been signed off for 4 weeks

That does help Thankyou, brain fog is definitely a factor

You’ll be bored by then

Yes I was definitely a combination of bored and sore.

going back to work after just over 2 weeks my brain hurt from having not been used for so long!

I am 3 weeks post op and feel fairly normal, but wince every now and again, now. However it does definitely seem that most others recovered more quickly than I did (by little boobs are literally still covered in bruises though).

Hope all of the lurkers and new ops take the plunge and enjoy the results! It (and you) are so worth it!

Did anyone else have a dowagers hump from poor posture due to large boobs and how did you get rid of it after surgery? I have my lovely little boobs now but my neck is still stuck forward